The Shadow Keeper Blog Tour: Guest Post by Abi Elphinstone

Today I am delighted to be welcoming the fabulous Abi Elphinstone to The Book Zone, as part of The Shadow Keeper blog tour. Abi's debut book, The Dreamsnatcher, was my favourite middle grade book of 2015, and its sequel, The Shadow Keeper, is even better! Abi is here today to tell us about some of the weird and wonderful items she has in her writing shed, but the wonderment doesn't stop there, as on Monday we will be giving you a chance to win a copy of The Shadow Keeper!

Top 10 Strangest Objects In My Writing Shed

    

One of my favourite things about school visits is showing children the weird and wonderful objects I’ve picked up on my travels. And with recent book research adventures involving living with Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia (you can read about that here) and chasing the northern lights in the Arctic, my writing shed is fast becoming a treasure trove of extraordinary items. So, here you go for a run down on the Top 10 Strangest Objects In My Writing Shed:

1. An arrow fletched with buzzard feathers. Catapults are my weapon of choice but when the witch doctors stepped things up a gear in The Shadow Keeper I threw in some bows and arrows as well. In the run up to writing the book, I learnt to fire a long bow at Barbury Shooting School and afterwards I bought a flint-tipped arrow from an antique shop in Portobello Road, London.

2. A human finger bone. There is a particularly evil band of smugglers in The Shadow Keeper. Barbarous Grudge is the thug at the top and he is often seen chewing the finger bone of a government official who tried to stop him smuggling years ago.

3. A gold tooth. Barbarous Grudge again for this one, I’m afraid. The legend goes that he fended off eight tax officials in a smuggling raid then stole their money to melt down the coins to cap eight of his teeth in gold.

4. A wolf fang decorated with silver. I bought this in Mongolia when I was living with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters. There are wolves in The Shadow Keeper but perhaps not the sort you’d expect…

5. A sheep’s ankle bone. This was given to me by a family living in one of the most remote settlements I have come across, at the foot of the Altai Mountains in Mongolia. Mongolian children play games with the bones and when I come to writing my Eagle Huntress book, I’m going to include the ankle bone and the girl who gave it to me, a five-year-old cat wrestler called Angela.

6. A shaman’s dagger. My little brother bought this back for me after his time living with the Reindeer People in northern Mongolia. The handle is made from reindeer antler and it is one of the most magical and fierce things I’ve ever seen. It’ll be a part of my next series – an Arctic adventure – because I already know there will be an evil shaman wreaking havoc out on the ice.

7. A plastic moth encased in glass. As odd as it sounds – and inspiration for the book I’m currently writing: a wild adventure amidst mountains, moors and lochs.

8. Animal Spirit cards. In The Shadow Keeper, Moll has a very special bond with a wildcat called Gryff. Sometimes I take these spirit cards to school visits and readers can find out what their spirit animal might be. Mine is a fox, apparently: ‘has many allies in the woodland, a sure-footedness in the physical world, is always concerned about family members & travels far afield.’

9. A catapult carved by one of the last ‘true’ Romany gypsies, Pete Ingram. He painted Roald Dahl’s wagon for the film premiere of Danny, The Champion of the World, and the catapult he gave me is made from ash with a beautiful horse head carved into the handle. It’s magnificent and I’m lucky my main character, Moll, hasn’t pinched it yet – because catapults are kind of her THING.

10.

A highland cow teddy. Because why not (and because Siddy takes a fancy to one in Book 3).

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Huge thanks to Abi for taking the time to tall us about all these amazing things she has in her writing shed. The Shadow Keeper was published yesterday so make sure you go out and get your copy now. Although if you have not yet read The Dreamsnatcher, you really must do this first!

    

Guest Post - My Top 10 Series for Under 14s by Jenny from Wondrous Reads

Today, as part of Under 14s Only Month, we are joined by blogging royalty - the rather brilliant Jenny whose Wondrous Reads blog is one of the most popular YA book blogs in the UK. Wondrous reads is my first port of call when I'm sorting out the book orders for school as my knowledge of books that mainly appeal to girls is very limited. However, Jenny doesn't just read and review YA as like me she is also a big fan of books for younger readers and so I was overjoyed when she volunteered to write a guest piece for my Under 14s Only Month, and even more so when she asked if she could tell us about her Top 10 Series for the Under 14s. 

Over to Jenny:

I'm a big fan of U14 fiction so I was excited to hear about Darren's whole month dedicated to it. It's an area of children's fiction that can appeal to kids and adults alike, and a good chunk of it is hilariously funny and as entertaining as any YA or adult book. I've made a list of my top 10 U14 series by both UK and US authors, all of which I've read and can heartily recommend. I hope you find a new series to get addicted to!

In no particular order:


1. The Raven Mysteries by Marcus Sedgwick

There are six books in this darkly comedic series and I love them all. I've never laughed so much while reading any book, and I'm still really sad that the series is over. It's narrated by a raven called Edgar, who looks out for the Otherhand family who live at Castle Otherhand. It's absolutely crazy but hilariously so. Marcus Sedgwick is a bit of a genius, I think!


2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Narnia is one of my little obsessions. I collect different editions of the books and the recent trilogy of films is among my all-time favourites.  Although this series was written quite a long time ago, in the 50s, it still holds up today and continues to be widely read.  I like these stories so much because they're magical, with heroes and heroines and a whole selection of fantasy creatures like fauns and centaurs and talking animals. Every time I re-read one of the books, I feel like Narnia really could exist somewhere, and that maybe my wardrobe is magic after all...


3. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I couldn't write this post and not mention Harry now, could I? I won't ramble on too much because I'm sure you're all fans yourself, but I will say that surely this has to be the best children's series ever written? (Even though I've cheated a bit because the later books are darker and more suitable for older teenagers). I think epic is the word. (Book Zone edit: I am so pleaseed to see Harry Potter mentioned here. It annoys me when the series as a whole so often gets labelled as YA when the first four books are definitely aimed at U14s).


4. Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell

Dork Diaries is the best U14 series for girls that I've come across so far. It's fast, funny and brilliantly illustrated by the author. Just like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it's written in diary format by Nikki, who chronicles her life growing up and encountering everything teen girls go through. I can't wait for the next book to be published!


5. Scream Street by Tommy Donbavand

Scream Street is one of those series that I wished would never end. There are thirteen books in total, but even that isn't enough. This series is about werewolf Luke, vampire Resus and mummy Cleo. They're on a mission to retrieve six ancient relics left by the founding fathers of Scream Street, and each book is a fantastic supernatural adventure story. 


6. Guardians of Childhood by William Joyce

I'm a huge fan of the Rise of the Guardians film and was very excited to find that there's a series of books connected with it. They do differ from the film, but were written alongside it and tell the early stories of North, Bunnymund, Toothiana and the Sandman. They're action-packed and brilliantly illustrated, perfect for anyone who enjoyed the film and wants to know more about these fascinating characters!


7. The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

Enid Blyton's Famous Five series is another classic that's still in print today. I read these when I was little and basically devoured them faster than my mum and dad could buy them. Julian was my absolute favourite character, though I also had a soft spot for Timmy the dog. I think every child should read these books: they're the best adventure stories out there!


8. Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo

This series is SO funny. I laughed out loud numerous times and was surprised that Jo Nesbo, kind of crime fiction, could be so good at writing for a younger audience.  It is the story of an eccentric inventor and a boy with a very small head, Nilly, and their ensuing madcap capers. I'd really recommend this one to readers who like their books to be a bit daft, but beware: you'll be clutching your sides in fits of laughter. (Book Zone edit: I also totally love the Doctor Proctor books - watch this space for my review of the series)


9. The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a series I didn't read until a couple of years ago, but is one that I'm glad I tried. It's about faeries of all shapes and sizes, and what happens when the Grace children move into the old Spiderwick Mansion. Along with the faeries, there's also goblins and other such creatures. Brilliant!


10. Goosebumps by R.L. Stine

Goosebumps was my other favourite series when I was younger, along with The Famous Five. I've always been a fan of horrid, creepy stuff (vampires in particular) so this series was perfect. I haven't read any of the newer titles, though I read every single book in the original series published in the 90s. I still have a copy of Vampire Breath, which I may need to read again one day. Goosebumps is undoubtedly, in my opinion, the best  horror series for children!

~~~

Huge thanks to Jenny for writing this for us. I am ashamed to admit that there are a couple of series on there that I am yet to read, including The Raven Mysteries, which I need to get my hands on immediately.

Tom Swan and the Head of St George Blog Tour - My Top 10 Adventure Novels by Christian Cameron

Chris Cameron, author of the adventure-tastic Tom Swan ebooks has joined us today to tell us his Top 10 Adventure Novels. I think I would find it near impossible to create a list of only ten books, and it seems that Chris had a similar problem, and had to do what I would have done.... cheat a little. The first three TOM SWAN AND THE HEAD OF ST GEORGE ebooks are available now, so why not check them out once you have read Chris's Top 10.


Over to Chris:

I found this a very difficult exercise, so let me explain some parameters. I chose only one novel from each of my favorite authors.  So I didn’t put in every book Dorothy Dunnett wrote, or even all those that Alexander Dumas put his name to.  Second, I put some effort into choosing some contemporary authors, because I’m old enough to remember a whole world of authors who are now not widely read.  Third, I defined adventure as ‘Anything that I found to be adventure’ rather than, say, limiting myself to ‘Thrillers’ or other genres as currently defined.  Finally, ten isn’t enough.  So here’s 15.  Maybe 16?
OK?

Here we go.  Not entirely in order—the Three Musketeers is number one, but after that, the next fourteen or fifteen are all basically a tie.

1) The Three Musketeers, by Alexander Dumas.  Probably the best adventure story with swords ever written.  Dumas was himself a great swordsman, and, I expect, a good friend.  His writing is witty—at times, almost comic.  The four friends are both epic and very real—their servants even more so.  But the very best thing is that there is no ‘good’ or ‘bad.’  There is merely the assumption that people of spirit will undertake adventure—for its own sake, and from worldly ambition.  Neither side is morally ‘better.’

2) The Iliad, by Homer  The Iliad is not only a great story with great characters and a complex, moving plot—it is also a window to the distant past, and a revelation of how people were the same—and very different—three thousand years ago.  Achilles—the model of Ancient Greek manhood—is a far more complex hero than is often seen.

3) King Hereafter, By Dorothy Dunnett  All of Dunnett’s books are great romances and great adventure stories.  This is the tale of Thorfinn--an historical realization of the ‘real’ Macbeth’ of Shakespeare.  A bloody-handed Viking and a great leader and an intellectual for his times.  Another very complex character with complex enemies.  This book taught me a great deal about how to write—that the ‘bad guys’ think they are heroes, too.

4) The Ionian Mission, by Patrick O’Brian  Patrick O’Brian has been described as “Jane Austin for boys.’  Superb, authentic, intricate naval scenes—battles, storms, and beautiful days of sailing—interspersed with intricately plotted SOCIAL adventure—men with men, men with women, the failures to communicate, the issues caused by manners…  A world where gong to a party while in disgrace can require more courage than facing the cannon’s mouth.

5) The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien.  Please do not make me pick one.  Tolkien—need I say more?  The grandest vision, with the most intricate detail.

6) The Honorable Schoolboy, by John Le Carre  Le Carre writes character like no one else, but his plots—his infinitely intricate plots with dead ends and failures and a complete lack of ‘novelized reality’ and a sort of morally neutral stance…  He certainly has spying down pat!  

7) Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry  The most epic western, a cattle drive from Texas to Montana as the ‘old west’ slips away on two rugged veterans of its worst days.  Again, a novel about motivations and relationships—the most unforgettable scene, where the two heroes enter a tavern as old men, where the photo of the two of them as heroes sits behind the bar—and no one knows them.  Mmmmm.  And what follows.  Read it yourself!

8) Kim, by Rudyard Kipling  In some ways, the seminal adventure story of our time—spying, and some colonial claptrap, but also some amazing detail and some real knowledge of the character of the young.  And so beautifully written.

9) The Mote in God’s Eye, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle  For me, this is the best Sci-Fi adventure ever written.  First alien contact, with actual aliens who aren’t soft and furry or giant monsters.  At the same time, a real tool to examine ourselves—like a good sci-fi story should be.  I read this about 60 times as a teenager, and I’m pretty sure I joined the US Navy because of it!

10) The White Company, by Arthur Conan Doyle  This book was the second or third adventure story of my youth.  It had knights, and archers, and a lot of other things that stuck in my head.  Vastly over-romanticized, but yet with a wealth of historical detail, and solid characters—who may be too good to be true, but yet manage to be petty and grand and funny and deadly serious.  Also the best last stand…

11) Sharpe’s Rifles, By Bernard Cornwell  Cornwell’s descriptive powers need no boost from me, but this, the first of the Sharpe books, I must have read 20 times at age seventeen or so.  It helped confirm my love of reenacting the horse and musket era, and it made me want to read more—lots more—about the actual period.  Cornwell is an excellent historical writer—his HISTORY is part of the story.  And the story rips along at James Bond pace.  I don’t require that, but for Sharpe—it works.

12) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by the Pearl Poet  An awesome tale of Chivalrous adventure, with strong characters, exciting and somewhat alien motivations—it is a sort of wellspring for me, when I’m writing about the Middle Ages, to go back and re-read this.  The differing motivations and the willingness to use violence—elegant, expert violence—is better than any modern fantasy I’ve read.

13) The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein  OK, this is the other great Sci-Fi novel, and it could go higher on the list.  In some ways, it is the perfect adventure novel.  It’s not long, it rips along, starts small and goes big, and is packed full of big ideas.

14) Gates of Fire, by Steven Pressfield.  The single best Historical Fiction novel.  Pressfield’s immersion in Ancient Greece is superb, and takes the reader there in a page.  The adventure—the story of the three hundred—is one of the best of all time

15) The King Must Die, by Mary Renault And Renault is the ‘other’ great writer of fiction about Ancient Greece;  I read all her books when I was 15.  And again, about ten years ago, and they had lost nothing.  She captures an almost artistic feel for the Classical world—utterly different from Pressfield, and yet both is telling a ‘truth.’

16) The Hydrogen Sonata, by Ian M. Banks  Ian Banks is my favorite modern author—I shelve whatever I’m doing every time one of his books comes out.  I love the Culture—I love the pace—I love the way his adventures offer insights into our world—I love the way the super-intelligent ships talk to each other like teenaged boys.  And his plots and his grasp of politics.  And everything else.

But wait!  Where’s Rosemary Sutcliffe?  Dorothy Sayers? A.A. Milne?  Arthur Ransome?  Terry Pratchett?  Jim Butcher?  C.J. Cherryh? Michael Ondaatje?  Sir Thomas Mallory and William Shakespeare and Jane Austen and… and Steinbeck!  And Chretien de Troyes!  And—wait! What about Frederick Forsyth and Colleen McCullough?  Good god, I don’t have a single Hemingway story here.  Or the Last of the Mohicans! And where is George McDonald Fraser?
Hopeless.  Let me read all these again and try and winnow the list down to—say—twenty-five.

~~~

Thanks to Chris for taking the time to write this list for us. There are far too many on that list that I haven't read, and that's the second time in almost as many days that someone has named Lonesome Dove as one of their favourite books (author Will Hill said it was one of his favourite reads of 2012).

Don’t miss the last stop on our Tom Swan blog tour and an exclusive competition - tomorrow at For Winter Nights

You can catch the previous blog tour stop here.